Emergency Departments (EDs) are increasingly seeing more seriously unwell older people living with frailty. In the context of limited resources and increasing demand it’s the ED practitioner’s challenge to unpick this constellation of physical, psychological, functional and social issues.To properly assess older people living with frailty at the ED it is crucial to use an holistic approach. This consists of triage with algorithms sensitive to the higher risk of older people living with frailty, a frailty assessment, and an assessment with the help of the principles of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. Multi-disciplinary care, a tailor-made treatment plan, based on what the person values most, will help the ED practitioner to deliver appropriate and valuable care during the ED stay, but also in transition from hospital to home.

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Overview publication

TitleEmergency department management of older people living with frailty: a guide for emergency practitioners.
DateSeptember 1st, 2021
Issue nameEmergency medicine journal : EMJ
Issue numberv38.9:724-729
DOI10.1136/emermed-2020-210014
PubMed33883216
AuthorsHogervorst VM, Buurman BM, De Jonghe A, van Oppen JD, Nickel CH, Lucke J, Blomaard LC, Thaur A, Mooijaart SP, Banerjee J, Wallace J, de Groot B & Conroy SP
Keywordsacute care, assessment, emergency department, geriatrics
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